TheMorningFive 07/01/08
Obama Debates Dobson, MTV's The Hills Sing Christian Praise, Osteen in San Antonio and a Different Kind of Mega-Church ...
Barrack Obama and The Hills trying to get in good with Christian rock? James Dobson and Obama debating theology?! Mega-churches meeting in basketball stadiums and in outdoor fields?!! Here's today's special hot-button edition of The Morning Five ...
1) Run for The Hills!
Reality TV star Heidi Montag say she wants to record a Christian album. The tabloid-frequent star of MTV's The Hills told USA Today, "I have been the most religious person since I was 2 years old.” She said she is a “kind of non-denominational Baptist" and has "always felt this crazy connection to God.” Though she said she once dreamed of being a missionary in Africa, Montag said that now she believes Christian music is her career path.
2) Speaking of Unlikely Christian Rockers ...
As the presidential race continues to heat up, so does the debate over what candidate Christians should support. And presumptive Democratic nominee Barrack Obama is courting a group that has long been associated with candidates on the other side of the spectrum. Here's a story from The New York Times about evangelicals who are not only voting for the Illinois Senator, they're raising money for him. The article looks at how Obama supporters are planning house parties, Christian rock concerts and campus events in an effort to stir support among young, moderate evangelicals.
3.) Obama vs. Dobson
But even as Obama hosts a series of engagements with evangelical groups, not all high-profile leaders are showing enthusiasm for the senator's spiritual talk. Last week James Dobson made headlines for speaking out against what he said was Obama's “fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution” and confused theology. Now, a debate over theological interruption of scripture has been thrust into the mainstream spotlight and pundits and cable-news talking heads are themselves debating the intricacies of scripture.
On one hand, it's annoying to see people who profess to be Christians squabble over seemingly minor syntax, but at the same time, at least people are talking about faith. Unlike decades gone by where any talk of religion or faith was considered taboo, faith--and more specifically Christianity--has become one of the major issues that will decide our next President.
4) Remember the Alamo Dome
A massive crowd filled the AT&T Arena in San Antonio (the stadium is also the home of the NBA's Spurs) to hear Joel Osteen deliver his signature feel-good message. The event is one of 22 worship services Osteen is holding this year away from his home church, Lakewood, in Houston. Tickets for the event were sold for $15 at the box office.
5) Tearing Down the Mega-Church Walls
Here's another story about a mega-church whose leadership has taken a different approach to holding worship services. Uncomfortable about the prospect of spending tens-of-millions on a new building to facilitate their growing numbers, Cornerstone Community Church in California decided to do something different ... have church outside.
Their new plan involves creating an outdoor sanctuary and several other buildings that will serve as homes for learning centers, the Children's Hunger fund and recreational areas. The entire facility also emphasizes their passion for using resources wisely by creating eco-minded areas like "grass-crete" pavement, using recycled water for irrigation and preserving open spaces (almost 60 undeveloped acres).
1) Run for The Hills!
Reality TV star Heidi Montag say she wants to record a Christian album. The tabloid-frequent star of MTV's The Hills told USA Today, "I have been the most religious person since I was 2 years old.” She said she is a “kind of non-denominational Baptist" and has "always felt this crazy connection to God.” Though she said she once dreamed of being a missionary in Africa, Montag said that now she believes Christian music is her career path.
2) Speaking of Unlikely Christian Rockers ...
As the presidential race continues to heat up, so does the debate over what candidate Christians should support. And presumptive Democratic nominee Barrack Obama is courting a group that has long been associated with candidates on the other side of the spectrum. Here's a story from The New York Times about evangelicals who are not only voting for the Illinois Senator, they're raising money for him. The article looks at how Obama supporters are planning house parties, Christian rock concerts and campus events in an effort to stir support among young, moderate evangelicals.
3.) Obama vs. Dobson
But even as Obama hosts a series of engagements with evangelical groups, not all high-profile leaders are showing enthusiasm for the senator's spiritual talk. Last week James Dobson made headlines for speaking out against what he said was Obama's “fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution” and confused theology. Now, a debate over theological interruption of scripture has been thrust into the mainstream spotlight and pundits and cable-news talking heads are themselves debating the intricacies of scripture.
On one hand, it's annoying to see people who profess to be Christians squabble over seemingly minor syntax, but at the same time, at least people are talking about faith. Unlike decades gone by where any talk of religion or faith was considered taboo, faith--and more specifically Christianity--has become one of the major issues that will decide our next President.
4) Remember the Alamo Dome
A massive crowd filled the AT&T Arena in San Antonio (the stadium is also the home of the NBA's Spurs) to hear Joel Osteen deliver his signature feel-good message. The event is one of 22 worship services Osteen is holding this year away from his home church, Lakewood, in Houston. Tickets for the event were sold for $15 at the box office.
5) Tearing Down the Mega-Church Walls
Here's another story about a mega-church whose leadership has taken a different approach to holding worship services. Uncomfortable about the prospect of spending tens-of-millions on a new building to facilitate their growing numbers, Cornerstone Community Church in California decided to do something different ... have church outside.
Their new plan involves creating an outdoor sanctuary and several other buildings that will serve as homes for learning centers, the Children's Hunger fund and recreational areas. The entire facility also emphasizes their passion for using resources wisely by creating eco-minded areas like "grass-crete" pavement, using recycled water for irrigation and preserving open spaces (almost 60 undeveloped acres).